Wildlife

Wild Swift Population Recovery

Swift populations have declined dramatically but targeted nest site provision, awareness campaigns and planning policy are beginning to reverse losses at local level.

Key Facts

UK swift populations declined by 60% between 1995 and 2019 due to nest site loss in renovated buildings
Swifts return to the same nest site every year with extreme site fidelity
Swift brick retrofits during building renovation replace lost nest sites at similar cost to repair work
Planning policy in several local authorities now requires swift bricks in new developments
Swift conservation volunteers monitor colonies and install swift boxes across the UK

Welfare Considerations

Swift population recovery demonstrates what targeted habitat provision combined with planning policy can achieve. Individual swifts benefit directly from nest site provision at buildings across the country.

What You Can Do

Install swift bricks or boxes on your building to provide new nesting opportunities
Advocate for swift brick requirements in local authority planning policies
Record swift numbers and colony activity through the Royal Swifts Society